RUSH LIMBAUGH and PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9

When President Clintin was in office and Rush Limbaughhad just begun his nightly t.v. show, I used to watch him and laugh at his sense of humor. I found him clever and witty. The critical comments that he made, were just and the comment everyone was thinking but not saying. I saw him as a loveable, even jolly television host where you could go to to get a good laugh.

Years passed and his success grew. It grew to almost cult standing. People were following Howard Stern and other shock jocks and Limbaugh was more akin to them. People listened and laughed like those that now follow John Stewart and Stephen Colbert on the Colbert Report.

Then it happened. Power began to corrupt. He decided to take charge of his listeners instead of entertaining them. He has demanded actions and responses from his followers. He makes true politicians apologize to him for any misdeeds he finds offensive. He has the ears of politicians and America. This is a grave responsibility. One not to be taken lightly.

Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, and Ghandi had power. They insisted upon actions and responses from those who supported them, But-------.(You know the rest of the story)

Jesus had power. Power to kill and power to save.What choice did he make?

In the book of Hebrews, chapter 11, there is a Biblical Hall Of Fame. The names of Christians who did extrordianry things in ordinary and extraordinary times.

Each day we awake we have a decision to make. Do I do good for me, do I do good for others, do I do good for myself and others and the polar opposite- do I do bad (evil)for me, do I do bad to others, do I do bad for myself and others? We may not realize we are making these choices each day, but we are.

If this question was posed to Rush Limbaugh and to his millions of listeners, I am sure they would say he is doing good for others. I would like you to know, he is not doing good for me.

When he played the song "Barack the Magic Negro" I was speechless. When he stated Health Care Reform was reparations for blacks I was furious (you mean to claim my reparations I would have to be sick), and today as he continues with his radio show there is no doubt that he is trying to incite a race war. A war in which blacks are not participating in.

I wonder can Limbaugh actually convince white people that President Obama is trying to make ammends for the ills of slavery through legislation? I have not been asked if I wanted any ammends for slavery. I haven't participated in any such discussion. I do not even know of any organization - grass roots or otherwise-- asking President Obama to get "people back" for the injustices of slavery.

POWER. How does it invade ones soul and take up residence? I tell my kids it takes a lot of effort to feed anger. Your time has to be consumed with giving it ample material for it to feed upon. Bitterness, hate, contempt, and all other emotions that distort love are not of Christ.

That is why the bible says in Philippians 4:8-9:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

So let me lead by example. Rush Limbaugh is a talented communicator. He is able to size up his audience and deliver exactly what they want as any public speaker knows is rule #1. He researches thoroughly the topic points he wants to maximize. He uses body language at all times on camera and off. HIS tone, inflection and word emphasis are an art form. He has honed his God given talent into a multimillion dollar career and could mentor masses on how to never give up until you succeed. He is an American success story. I would greatly enjoy witnessing his performance in public. If I am as good as a communicator as he is, I will be more than pleased.

I pray for him and his millions of listeners, not for him to change what he is doing, but to consider; who am I helping today? I hope his listeners will follow the Bible passage to find what is good in Rush Limbaugh's radio show. Hopefully, he and his listeners can hear the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, and Ghandi in everything they listen to and participate in.

It is then, only then, when we feed PEACE that we will be bearers of peace and at peace within ourselves no matter what is occurring around us.